Recent Monarch sightings

[dilettante]

A Monarch was reported on the Herts-Middx BC sighting page at Heartwood Forest on 5th July. And another at Rainham Marshes, Essex on 7th and 8th reported on Cambs-Essex BC sightings page, including photos.

Any speculation on whether these are likely to be vagrants or captive-bred?

The write-up on the Herts-Middx page suggests captive, but I don't know what that's based on, and two turning up many miles apart might suggest a natural occurrence?

[Essex Bertie]

Hi Dilettante,

I'm suspicious when they look fairly fresh. But then we've had a lot of warm air from the south.
I think it's best to make some sort of judgement in the autumn to see if there was any larger pattern.

cheers
Rob